BY ERIN MILLER
WEST HAWAII TODAY
West Hawaii residents homed in on one state transportation project -- widening Queen Kaahumanu Highway -- during a talk story with Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto.
The design is about half done, Okimoto said during the Thursday evening event, hosted by State Sen. Josh Green, D-West Hawaii. About two dozen people attended the meeting at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel.
What is still holding up construction, Okimoto and Interim Highways Division Administrator Alvin Takeshita said, is a federally mandated consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations.
"We were so close like a month ago," Okimoto said, then additional questions about the highway's impact on cultural and historical sites came up. "I think we've answered their questions."
Takeshita said construction should begin in April 2012, the latest projected start date.
"From what we see of the discussions and interactions, I think we're really close," he said. "All they want to do is go back and make sure they've identified all the significant sites."
He also offered assurances, in response to a question from West Hawaii resident Fred Housel, that Phase 2 shouldn't suffer from the same design issues that delayed Phase 1.
"I can't give you 100 percent guarantee" that design changes won't be necessary once construction begins, Takeshita added. "The design is good. It's been planned very well."
And what about expanding the widening project north to the Waikoloa Road Junction, another person asked. The department is aware of growth along the northern portions of the highway, Takeshita said.
"It's a funding issue for all of the highway projects," Okimoto added.
Green pointed out West Hawaii, because of the highway widening project, has received a disproportionately large portion of the state's highway funding the last couple of years, after decades of receiving less than its share.
Okimoto, after the meeting, said he sees Kawaihae Harbor as one of the other DOT facilities that needs significant construction and improvements. The department unsuccessfully applied this year for federal grant funding for work there, he said.
The department would support a complete ban on using cell phones and hands-free devices, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board, Okimoto said.
Green also ran down his legislative priorities for next year. He said he's pushing for the state to begin addressing a backlog of repairs. That is a fair way to invest in communities and create jobs, he said.
Other topics Green said he would try to address next session include pursuing a soda tax, which is unpopular among his legislative colleagues, increasing the number of Public Utilities Commissioners from three to five and a significantly more stringent law regarding drinking and driving.
